Dairy products can prevent virus infections and colds
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DAIRY PRODUCTS CAN PREVENT VIRUS INFECTIONS AND COLDS

With the cooperation of Muriella Ioannou, Clinical Nutritionist-Dietician, BSc, Scientific Director of Dietetic Support & Metabolic Control Centre LOGO DIATROFIS Lemesos Cyprus, Founding Member of Greek Nutritional Company, , www.logodiatrofis.gr, www.activekids.gr, www.care24.gr.

Dairy products can prevent virus infections and colds

Dairy products (milk, yoghurt, cheese) are known to reinforce naturally the body's immune system and help fight the flu as well as common colds effectively.

This is due not only to dairies which have high levels of tryptophan (an amino acid) but also to the probiotics contained specially in yoghurt. Tryptophan increases the secretion of melatonin, a hormone which in turn stimulates the production of T cells that are known to play a central role in the body’s immunity to infection. Additionally, the lactobacilli contained in probiotic yoghurt increase the production of cytokines (interferons and interleukins), which activate immune cells which in turn remove virus-infected cells and inactivate pathogens.

Yoghurt, a top food for health protection:

The increased content of nutrients and probiotics makes yoghurt a food with great nutritional and protective significance. It is scientifically proven that yoghurts containing probiotics shield the immune system from diseases and contribute to maintaining gut flora balance, thus reinforcing one of the main lines of defense of our body. Recent research has also shown that probiotics reduce the duration of an illness by 2 days. Moreover, a study has shown that people who consume dairy and probiotic products on a daily basis are 33% less likely to get sick.

Cheese: an excellent source of Vitamin D:

We all know that cheese is an excellent source of vitamin D. A large body of research has shown that vitamin D, has a significant effect in strengthening the immune system, as well as, enhances cell growth and immune cells defense activity which significantly reduces inflammatory response. By this way, vitamin D, helps pointedly in both the prevention and treatment of common colds and flu.

Furthermore, vitamin D stimulates the expression of potent antimicrobial peptides in other white blood cells that line our respiratory system, thus shielding our lungs from contamination.

Therefore, the consumption of 2-3 servings of dairy products per day contributes significantly to a strong and balanced immune system.

References:
1. Baeke F, Takiishi T, Korf H, Gysemans C, Mathieu C. «Vitamin D: modulator of the immune system». Current Opinion in Pharmacology (2010);10:4:482–496.
2. Corthésy B, Gaskins HR, Mercenier http://jn.nutrition.org/content/137/3/781S.short - target-3 A. «Cross-Talk between Probiotic Bacteria and the Host Immune System» J. Nutr. (2007);137:3:781S-790S.
3. Moffett JR, Aryan Namboodiri http://www.nature.com/icb/journal/v81/n4/abs/icb200338a.html - aff1 MA. «Tryptophan and the immune response». Immunology and Cell Biology (2003); 81:247–265.